ScienceDebate.org and a coalition of 56 scientific societies, including the ASBMB, submitted questions to the 2016 presidential candidates regarding science, engineering, technology, health and the environment. The candidates’ responses will help voters determine how the candidates value science and innovation as components of their potential presidency.

With the 2016 presidential election less than two months away, insight on how each candidate views the scientific enterprise is becoming clear. Contrasts between the two major party candidates could not be more evident, including many calling out Republican nominee Donald Trump for dodging questions concerning climate change and vaccination. Despite glaring differences on how Trump and Democratic nominee Hilary Clinton value science as part of their campaigns, the candidates have found some common ground of a few health policy issues.

The biomedical research funding crisis has led many researchers to stall or abandon projects due to lack of funding. However, a study published in the journal Nature has found that more than $350 million a year is wasted in research labs due to poor-quality materials causing false results.

Leaders in the public health field agree on the need for a federal public health emergency fund, which would reduce budget shortfalls, like the one officials are facing amid the Zika crisis, for future health pandemics. While an increase to the overall federal budget for biomedical research would benefit the scientific community as a whole, an emergency fund is necessary to combat unforeseen public health scares.